The Iniziative Culturali Sacerdotali [Priest’s Cultural Initiative] seeks to offer diocesan priests courses of pastoral updating and spirituality, and to foster priestly fraternity. Last August it organized the 20th Summer Conference for Seminarians at a location near Rome. The topic chosen for this year was “The priest, a man of faith: theological and cultural formation in preparation for the priesthood.” The conference included moments for prayer and reflection, and the interchange of ideas on the formation of seminarians. There were also opportunities to share periods of fraternal relaxation and to visit important religious and artistic sites in Rome.

Archbishop Andrea Bruno Mazzolato of Udine spoke about the theological and cultural formation of priests for the new evangelization. Bishop Gualtiero Sigismondi of Foligno reflected on the importance of uniting the theological formation received in the seminary with spiritual and pastoral formation. On August 22 the participants attended Benedict XVI’s general audience in Castel Gandolfo. Later that same day, Cardinal Julian Herranz shared with them his rich experience in the service of the Church and spoke about his interaction with Blessed John Paul II and St. Josemaría.

Professor John Wauck from the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross spoke about the importance of the humanities in priestly formation. In addition, Msgr. Stefano Manetti and Msgr. Nazzareno Marconi, rectors of the seminaries of Florence and Assisi respectively, directed a round table on the theological and cultural formation offered in the present day set up of the seminary. The candidates for the priesthood concluded the conference by participating in the Eucharistic Sacrifice celebrated in the Basilica of St. Peter at the Altar of the Chair by Archbishop Celso Morga, secretary of the Congregation for the Clergy.